Concerns with setting up tubs. Please help.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by pavlovk1025

Im not 100% sure but I dont think so. The tubs would all have to be set up identically, another reason people use racks. If you had the tubs sitting on your bookshelf side by side and what not then I believe you could.

---

Well, I guess I'm going to try to get either dad, brother or boyfriend to help me build a rack this weekend (this is going to be super difficult). I had intended on getting/building one eventually, but there's no point in spending so much time&money to set up a temporary shelving unit.

So after I know the dimensions of the rack I'm going to build, I order the heating tape and thermostat from RBI? How long does shipping normally take?

I research and obsess over everything to the point of insanity and exhaustion. I thought I had just about everything covered until this rack business. I have no idea how to build a rack and I already ask so much of the males in my life (brother, father, bf) I feel bad asking them to help me start on yet ANOTHER project.

I'm going to try to find a good instructional post on rack building from the DIY forum and then start begging for help with the construction...

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by elevenphoenix

I research and obsess over everything to the point of insanity and exhaustion. I thought I had just about everything covered until this rack business. I have no idea how to build a rack and I already ask so much of the males in my life (brother, father, bf) I feel bad asking them to help me start on yet ANOTHER project.

I'm going to try to find a good instructional post on rack building from the DIY forum and then start begging for help with the construction...

---

There are some AWESOMEEEEE diy racks in the DIY section. Depending on your size of tubs you might want different FLexwatt. I use 11" for 34qt tubs. Order the Flexwatt and Thermostat now, just guesstimate how much you need, you can't go wrong with a little extra. I used BeanFarm and it took about a week.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by pavlovk1025

There are some AWESOMEEEEE diy racks in the DIY section. Depending on your size of tubs you might want different FLexwatt. I use 11" for 34qt tubs. Order the Flexwatt and Thermostat now, just guesstimate how much you need, you can't go wrong with a little extra. I used BeanFarm and it took about a week.

---

Okay, I don't know what to order! I can guess on the length of the Flexwatt, but what other components go along with the Flexwatt?

I'm not really even sure what size tubs to base my rack on. I am getting 3 male BP's next week and 1 female. Boys are 2-3years old, ranging from 600-1500grams and girl is 500grams. I plan on expanding that collection within the next few months.

How big are the snakes that you fit into the 34qts?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by elevenphoenix

Okay, I don't know what to order! I can guess on the length of the Flexwatt, but what other components go along with the Flexwatt?

I'm not really even sure what size tubs to base my rack on. I am getting 3 male BP's next week and 1 female. Boys are 2-3years old, ranging from 600-1500grams and girl is 500grams. I plan on expanding that collection within the next few months.

How big are the snakes that you fit into the 34qts?

---

all you need for flexwatt is an extension cord and a soldering iron.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Buttons

all you need for flexwatt is an extension cord and a soldering iron.

---

Even for someone mechanically inclined?

How do you attach it to the thermostat?

If you order the flexwatt from RBI, there is an option to have it already wired and completely assembled/ready to plug into your T-Stat. It gives instructions on how to order it that way on the website. I think you have to add a clipset/cord option and leave instructions. I bought two- two foot long pieces of 11 inch flexwatt to use in incubators and ordered this option. Just taped the heat tape down and plugged it in.

As for how you attach it to a thermostat, the thermostat has a probe that will go on the flexwatt, and the flexwatt plugs right into the thermostat. (Or into a power strip plugged into the thermostat if you are running more than one heating element off the same t-stat.

I think I sort of get it now....beanfarm had some good instruction sheets, I think I can figure it out as soon as I figure out the size rack I want.

THANK YOU!

This is just one link of many that will help you understand how to build one. Do a search around using "melamine snake rack" as some key words.

http://www.strictlyballs.ca/snakerack.html

Check your local Craigs List for snake racks. I have purchased two of my racks from there for WAY less then it would have been to buy new or to build my own. One rack even came with a Johnson control.

I'm with you on I have already asked the boys in my life for so much...I can't ask them to build me a snake rack right now. So I'll just resort to buying them. :)

Animal Plastics also sells an "Economy Rack" for $180 (+ shipping) that includes heat and can fit either 6 32qt tubs or 12 15qt tubs (or a combo of the two sizes). The 15 qt tubs can be found at Target and are $3 each. The 32qt tubs were $5-6 each, also at Target.